Top five affordable luxury cars to get back into driving this summer from a used car expert
DESIGNER DRIVER Top five affordable luxury cars to get back into driving this summer from a used car expert
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
EARLY mornings, late nights, and lots of sun are the perfect driving conditions.
Don't like the car outside your doorstep or on the driveway?
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
6
Check out Sun Motors' selection of the best and most affordable luxury cars for sale in time for summer.
Why buy a luxury car? Because you're worth it. Prestige cars – like those featured below – look better, feel better and drive better than your average car.
Luxury cars aren't just bought with the heart but involve the head, too.
When you buy used, you're getting a bargain, with the original owner taking the hit.
If you're searching for an inexpensive luxury car, Sun Motors gives you access to the UK's best selection of premium cars.
You'll find luxury cars from all manufacturers for sale at competitive prices. In fact, we've found some seriously cheap luxury cars that won't break the bank.
Here's our top-five affordable luxury cars…
What is a luxury car?
Luxury cars are, as their name suggests, a cut above your bog-standard, basic models. You'll find bigger and better engines, refined looks, better interiors and enjoy a smoother driving experience.
Most read in Buy
NEED FOR SPEED I'm a used car expert, these are the top FASTEST selling cars I'd recommend
There are companies that specialise in building prestige, performance cars like Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Maserati etc. These are all considered luxury cars.
You'll also find that pretty many of the established names like Mercedes Benz, BMW, VW, Audi, Ford and more produce luxury rages. Some of these are featured below, like the S Class, a luxury executive car that oozes class and sophistication.
Most car brands also produce luxury versions of standard models. The Golf GTIi is a good example of how a manufacturer can improve the engine, internals and externals to transform a good one into a truly great one.
Buying a used luxury car
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but luxury cars look good. (Or at least, they should do!) Nobody is going to argue that a Porsche Cayman isn't perfection, are they?
Luxury cars should be as attractive on the inside as the outside, with fine internal fittings, comfortable seats, and ultra cool in-car-entertainment.
You'll also find a more powerful engine, precision steering, super smooth suspension and higher levels of driving technology.
Depreciation on a luxury car can be massive. When you buy a used luxury car, you're getting a huge amount of engineering and performance at a much lower price tag.
Top 5 affordable luxury cars
This is our list of the best and most affordable luxury cars for sale today. This list isn't scientific or based on any fixed criteria. That's the point with a luxury car, it's about your personality…
Range Rover Evoque
6
Model: Range Rover Evoque
Considered an 'entry level' Range Rover, the Evoque was still over £40,000 when new – and it feels it. The crossover SUV is a firm favourite among families, yummy mummies and what we used to call yuppies (ask your dad).
The Evoque is a proper luxury car and, for us, is a better investment than the BMW X3. (Opinions on this may differ.) It's luxurious inside, with amazing in-car entertainment and a smooth ride all around.
This used-approved 2020 Evoque is top of budget at £25,000, but that's still a bit of a bargain.
Porsche Boxster
6
This 2015 Porsche Boxster has done 45,000 miles and is on sale currently for £28,500
Model: Porsche Boxster
Who doesn't love the Porsche Boxster? It's a super capable mid-engine roadster that tears up the road. 'Sensationally to drive and beautifully built,' is WhatCar's opinion and it's all true.
The Porsche Boxster is a super convertible. This 2015 Porsche Boxster Convertible is a shade over £25k, but with some careful negotiation could get you closer to "affordable" levels.
Open top cruising probably doesn't get any cooler.
Mercedes S Class
6
Sun Motors houses multiple Mercedes S Classes for a perfect price
Model: Mercedes S Class
The ultimate executive car? Lexus might disagree, but the S-Class range of sedans and coupes has been carrying the rich and powerful around for over 50 years.
They are exquisitely built and near silent while driving. Under the bonnet of every S-Class is a finely tuned beast.
A brand new S-Class can easily run you over £100,000 – but you can pick up a used bargain. This awesome Mercedes-Benz S Class 2.9 S350L d AMG Line car comes in at around £23,000 – which is an amazing price for this 9-speed, diesel-powered beast.
BMW 6 series
6
This 2016 BMW 6 series is available for £400 per month on finance on has only done 54,000 miles
Model: BMW 6 series
The BMW 6 series is classed as a grand tourer and is built for cross-continental journeys on those unregulated German motorways. But don't worry, it'll also fit in just as well in the Lidl car park.
The BMW 6 series is no longer in production, being replaced by the 8 Series. That means you can pick up a bit of a bargain. It's summer, so our choice is this BMW 6 SERIES 3.0 640d M Sport Convertible. You get a super convertible with the all-important M-series badge on the back.
If you don't buy it, I might.
Jaguar XE
6
Model: Jaguar XE
Jaguar is the quintessential luxury car to any kid brought up in the 70s and 80s. It may no longer be British-owned, but the brand is as part of our culture as apologising for nothing in particular.
Jaguar executive care, like the Jaguar XE, can lose a huge amount of value in the first 3 years – in some cases, almost 50%.
Spare your tears for the sad banker and instead start looking for a bargain, like this 2019 JAGUAR XE 2.0 [250] R-Sport. The 250 in brackets refers to the 250 horsepower, turbocharged petrol engine. The R-Sport trim describes the aggressive and sporty styling which continues inside.
Trust us, arrive in this luxury car and you'll turn heads at the golf club.
Sun Motors: Buy your next vehicle today
If you're part of the 3.3 million Brits looking to buy a used vehicle this year, Sun Motors is an ideal place to start
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Sun Motors is a seamless, straightforward, transparent platform that ranks by customer searches, not payments. It offers innovative financing and concierge services, ensuring a simple, fair car-buying experience.
Enjoy: A choice of fuel type whether it's petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid
A range of models from convertible, estate, saloon and many more
A range of top brands such as Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota and BMW
Financing options
Trusted dealers
Get started finding your next used vehicle here.
Luxury car FAQs
What are some luxury car brands?
When you think of luxury cars, you naturally think of prestige brands like Jaguar, Porsche, Aston Martin, Range Rover, etc. These are all luxury car brands. You'll also find mainstream brands like Mercedes Benz, BMW, VW and any other you can think of with luxury lines, as well.
Cheapest luxury cars to look out for
A cheap luxury car isn't necessarily a great thing because they're notoriously complex to work on and costly to fix. Instead, let's look at the biggest depreciation. We can see the Maserati Levante, Audi A8, Audi S6, Maserati Ghibli are all luxury cars that lose *a lot* of value, says AutoExpress.
If you're looking for bargain luxury cars that won't break the bank, check out our list above!
What is luxury car tax?
The luxury car tax is an additional £425 levy applied to any car that costs over £40,000 when new. Introduced in 2017, the increase in vehicle excise duty (VED).
The increased cost is paid for 5 years. New cars are sold with a year's VED paid, so the luxury car tax is paid from when the car is 1 year old to 6 years old.
Does luxury car tax apply to second-hand cars? Sadly, yes, the luxury car tax covers used cars, too.
Are luxury cars more expensive to insure?
Yes. Bigger, more powerful and more expensive cars will cost you more money to insure than a smaller car. But the total price you pay depends on more than the make and model of car but your circumstances, age, driving history and more.
In the end, many people think a few extra quid a month to insure a prestige car is money well spent, and who are we to argue?
Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you're looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Iconic hot hatchback with four-wheel drive FINALLY coming to UK after being sold for years outside of Europe
BETTER LATE Iconic hot hatchback with four-wheel drive FINALLY coming to UK after being sold for years outside of Europe Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HUGE Japanese car firm has hinted that it is finally bringing its rally-bred hot hatch to the UK. The long anticipated Toyota GR Corolla is expected to join the much loved GR Yaris on UK roads in the next 18-months. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The new GR Corolla boasts a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine Credit: Toyota USA 4 A four-wheel drive system ensures every bit of power is used effectively Credit: Carsite With an impressive 296bhp the Corolla will enter production at Toyota's UK plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. The motor is expected to go into production next year in a bid to satisfy lengthy waiting lists. However at present the nippy hot hatch is only built at one site in Japan with it yet to be confirmed for the European market. Toyota's European COO Matt Harrison has hinted that British fans won't be disappointed though. He spoke to Auto Express to say: 'We have a philosophy that you build where you sell, so to build in Europe and not sell in Europe would be counter to that. 'The gap between supply and demand is now, so it's about how quickly we can get it. We need to act fast.' Originally launched in 2022 the GR Corolla was only sold in selected markets outside of Europe. It boasts a minimal 1.6 litre engine but a turbo charger offers the car a healthy boost in power. With its impressive 296bhp Toyota's answer to the Golf R comes close to matching the massive 315bhp offered by the 2 litre German model. And the Toyota uses its power well, a four-wheel drive system ensures the motor uses the most of the horsepower available to it. The souped-up Toyota Corolla GR Full specs and pricing for the new Corolla are expected to be released some time next year. Until then experts are estimating the motor will be priced around the £40,000 mark. The Burnaston site was chosen as a site for manufacturing the GR Corolla because of its factory capacity. Initial demand for the motor is expected to be relatively high and the UK site can offer the capacity to meet the demand. 4 The motor is only available in selected global markets but could soon come to the UK Credit: Toyota USA 4 The GR Corolla has been hotly anticipated Credit: Toyota USA Not only this but the UK motorsport pedigree aligns well with the specialist nature of the hot hatch. The rally bred motor offers a specific package of specifications to motorists. It was reported earlier this year that the Japanese firm planned to invest £41 million into the Burnaston production site. The investment could see production rates at the site significantly boosted to meet the expected demand for the new GR Corolla.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dubai billionaire businessman slammed for gifting baby daughter, one, £500,000 bright pink Rolls Royce
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BILLIONAIRE businessman has sparked outrage after gifting his one-year-old daughter a £500,000 custom pink Rolls-Royce. Jaw-dropping footage showed Dubai-based dad Satish Sanpal handing his toddler Isabella the keys to a Rolls-Royce Phantom - sending social media into a frenzy. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 A billionaire was slammed for giving his one-year-old daughter a Rolls-Royce Credit: CEN 8 His baby daughter will be able to drive her new car in 17 years Credit: CEN 8 The toddler was seen receiving the keys to the car Credit: isabellasatishsanpal/CEN Sanpal, the founder of ANAX Developments who is originally from India, was seen making the extravagant gesture to his toddler alongside his wife Tabinda. The astonishing clip also showed the metallic pink car's decadent interior - its plush interior punctuated by pink and white leather chairs. The swanky motor, which retails at half a million pounds but is likely to have cost Sanpal even more for the customisation, also boasted a fancy number plate reading: "CONGRATULATIONS Isabella." A personalised imprint next to each door revealed the car had been custom-built in the UK and specially shipped over, all for Father's Day. Inside, every seat was embroidered with the little girl's initials, turning the ultra-pricey vehicle into a personalised throne on wheels. In the viral footage, the family of three are seen arriving to an event space in their other lavish Rolls-Royce. The outdoor decorations feature a huge teddy bear with flowers and colourful balloons. A pink carpet is also laid out on the floor for the daughter and her parents to enter on. When they get inside, two massive doors - with the girl's initials "ISS" and her name written on it - slide open. They reveal the ridiculously luxurious car surrounded by more balloons and another teddy bear. Lavish Lifestyle: Mum Spoils Daughter with Designer Goods Isabella - who will have to wait another 17 years to start using her new toy - is seen dancing happily along with staff in excitement following the revelation of her present. The unbelievable footage sparked fury online, with many slamming the dad for the "unreasonable" gift. One user said: "I understand that people can spend their money however they like, but it's still sad seeing a toddler get a Rolls Royce when some charities have to beg for support." Another blasted the tycoon: "It's a tacky and flashy display of wealth and just proves that money does not buy class." While a third commented: "What rubbish... the little girl would have been more happy at a water park or a joy ride in a mall. "Shameless show offs." But others seemed pleased to see little Isabella's infectious joy. 8 The car's custom interior was decorated pink and white Credit: isabellasatishsanpal/CEN 8 The custom number plate read 'CONGRATULATIONS Isabella' Credit: CEN 8 Isabella seen holding the keys Credit: CEN One user said: "Don't get the hate. If I had that kind of money, I'd do the exact same thing. "He's earned it, worked hard for it, and there's nothing wrong with wanting nice things for your family or showing it off a bit." And another backed him up by saying: "Oh wow, such a sweet gesture from her father she's truly lucky!" This is not the first time the Indian billionaire has gone all out for his daughter. He threw her a jaw-dropping first birthday bash at one of Dubai's most exclusive hotels in February. The proud dad Sanpal hosted a lavish celebration at Atlantis The Royal, transforming the luxury venue into a winter wonderland complete with fake snow, icy chandeliers and frosted white trees. The birthday girl, born in London on February 25 last year, made a grand entrance in a fairytale-style carriage, dressed in a sparkling ball gown. Big-name Bollywood stars including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Tamannaah Bhatia, Atif Aslam and Nora Fatehi were also flown in to perform at the glitzy do. 8 The one-year-old was seen dancing in joy Credit: isabellasatishsanpal/CEN
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Best-selling car brand AXES plans to turn all EV as it ditches 2033 deadline & vows to keep making petrol motors
Hybrids will be prioritised instead U-TURN Best-selling car brand AXES plans to turn all EV as it ditches 2033 deadline & vows to keep making petrol motors Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR car brand has axed its plans to become all electric by 2033, with a deadline no longer in sight to move away from petrol motors. Previous plans for the company were to end development of internal combustion engines next year, with £23.9 billion worth of investment. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The Audi Q8 e-tron was the brand's new electric flagship which started production in 2022 Credit: AFP There is now no fixed plan for German car manufacturer, Audi, that initially hinted at launching no new ICE cars from 2026. CEO Gernot Döllner told Autocar he was not involved in communicating the end date, and that decisions were taken by previous management. Speaking about the decision to revoke the deadline, Döllner suggested his belief in "flexibility" was behind it. This includes flexibility around Audi's high performance RS models, with potential for them to become gas-powered. "Audi is launching from 2024-2026 a completely new line-up of internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and that gives us complete flexibility for at least another seven, eight, maybe 10 years, and then we will see how our markets develop. "We have already decided to extend the production beyond the communicated end dates of the past." The manufacturer is expected to see a greater focus on developing hybrid technology, which they see as a bridge to EVs. New short-term plans therefore include a new lineup of gas-powered vehicles to be rolled out next year. Döllner also confirmed development of all Volkswagen Group hardware and software architectures would be lead by Audi, hoping for larger models in the future. On top of that, the next-generation SSP platform in development would see the Group move to "software-defined" vehicles to hit the market for the first time in late 2027 or 2028. Audi launches NEW superfast charging hybrid with eye-watering price Audi will still direct R&D money towards it's all-electric vehicle strategy. There is an all-electric A3-sized model reported to be in development for 2026. However, complete abandonment of gas-powered Audis is not expected any time soon. It is also unlikely Audi would create its own version of an entry-level electric car as has been done by Volkswagen, Skoda or Cupra, Döllner revealed. The Sun have contacted Audi for comment about the change in plans.
